A Calm First Step With No Pressure to Commit
Starting therapy often begins with one quiet question. Is this the right therapist for me? A free Psychotherapy Initial Consultation at Tazkiyah Psychotherapy gives you space to answer it before you commit to ongoing sessions. Speak with a Registered Psychotherapist about what is bringing you in, ask how approaches such as CBT and DBT might help, and talk through format, fees, and fit. Consultations are available for clients in Mississauga and Oakville, with virtual options across Ontario.
There is no obligation to continue, and you do not need to have the right words ready. A short, honest conversation is often enough to know whether our approach feels right for you.
Take the first step toward clarity and emotional well being. Book your free consultation today.
Overview
A psychotherapy initial consultation is a brief, free, one time conversation with a Registered Psychotherapist before regular therapy begins. It is not a full treatment session or a diagnostic assessment. Instead, it is a chance for you and the therapist to understand whether working together makes sense.
In one conversation, you can share your main concerns, hear how therapy might work for you, and get clear answers about scheduling, session format, and cost. For many people, it is the moment therapy stops feeling like an unknown.
Consultation vs. Session
People often mix up these two steps, so here is how they differ.
A short conversation focused on fit. You share the main reasons you are reaching out, ask questions about the therapist and the process, and decide whether to continue. There is no cost and no commitment.
A standard 60 minute paid session where therapy truly begins. Your therapist explores your history, concerns, and goals in more depth and begins shaping a plan that reflects your needs and values.
Consider a common situation. A university student in Mississauga has been dealing with exam stress and sleepless nights, yet wonders whether her concerns are serious enough for therapy. In a consultation, she describes what has been happening, asks whether virtual sessions could fit around her class schedule, and hears how CBT can help with worry patterns. She leaves with a clear sense of her next step, whether that means booking a first session now or simply knowing support is there when she is ready.
What You Can Bring
You can bring any concern that affects your emotional well being, relationships, or daily life. You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out.
If racing thoughts or constant worry are wearing you down, the consultation is a place to describe what that looks like day to day. Your therapist can explain how anxiety is often addressed in therapy and what early sessions might focus on.
Feeling flat, unmotivated, or disconnected from things you once enjoyed can be hard to put into words. You can share as much or as little as you like and ask how therapy may support gradual, steady change.
Work pressure, caregiving, studies, and family expectations can pile up quickly. A consultation helps you name what feels heaviest and talk through whether therapy could help you set boundaries and manage competing demands.
You do not need to share painful details in a first conversation. You can simply say that past experiences still affect you and ask how trauma informed care works at a pace that protects your sense of safety.
Recurring conflict, fear of rejection, or difficulty saying no can affect many areas of life. Your therapist can explain how individual therapy may help you understand relational patterns, even when the other person is not involved.
Harsh self criticism, cultural expectations, or questions about who you are can all be meaningful starting points. The consultation lets you explore whether therapy could support confidence and a life more aligned with your values.
A move, a loss, a career change, marriage, or becoming a parent can bring unexpected emotions. You can talk through what has shifted and what kind of support might help you adjust.
When reactions feel bigger than you intend, they can strain relationships at home and at work. A consultation offers space to describe these moments without judgment and ask how therapy builds steadier responses.
Your concerns do not need to fit neatly into one category. Many people bring a mix of stress, mood, and relationship challenges, and the consultation helps sort out where to begin.
The Process
At Tazkiyah Psychotherapy, the consultation is designed to feel like a supportive conversation rather than an interview. It centres on three things.
Your therapist listens to your main concerns, what prompted you to reach out now, and what you hope might change. You decide how much to share.
You can ask how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Compassion Focused Therapy might apply to your situation, and whether in person, virtual, or Walk and Talk sessions would suit you best.
A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most consistent predictors of progress in therapy. The consultation gives you a real sense of the therapist’s style so you can decide whether you feel comfortable continuing.
If our services are not the right match for your needs, your therapist can talk with you about other options, such as a different level of care or community resources.
Our Approach
We aim to meet you with care, curiosity, and respect from the very first conversation.
The consultation is not a sales call. You are welcome to take time to think, ask follow up questions later, or decide that now is not the right time.
Some clients book a first session within days, while others return weeks later when they feel ready. Either choice is respected.
Our therapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and follow its professional standards, including confidentiality. Your therapist can explain how your information is protected and the limited situations, such as serious safety concerns, in which confidentiality may legally need to be broken.
For many Muslim clients, the first question is not only whether a therapist is qualified, but whether they will understand the role of faith, family, and culture. The consultation is a good moment to ask directly. You can share how much you would like Islamic values or spirituality to inform therapy, from not at all to a central part of the work. Tazkiyah Psychotherapy offers faith informed care when it is meaningful to you, always alongside evidence based practice.
Feel free to connect with us with any questions before you book.
Service Locations
For clients in Mississauga and Oakville, your consultation can be the start of in person therapy close to home. During the conversation, you can ask about office arrangements, appointment times, and how sessions are structured.
Walk and Talk therapy is also available in both locations for those who prefer an outdoor therapeutic setting.
Take the next step toward meaningful change.
If travel is difficult or you prefer the privacy of home, a virtual consultation is a convenient way to begin.
Tazkiyah Psychotherapy offers online psychotherapy for clients in Ontario, including those located in
A virtual consultation can help if you live outside Mississauga and Oakville, have a demanding schedule, or simply feel more relaxed in a familiar space. A private room and a stable internet connection help you speak freely.
Your therapist can discuss whether virtual care is appropriate for your circumstances.
Virtual service availability and eligibility depend on the applicable professional and regulatory requirements. Please confirm the details during your consultation.
Prefer to start from home? Contact Tazkiyah Psychotherapy to book a virtual consultation.
Our Team
Your consultation is with one of our Registered Psychotherapists, so the person answering your questions is someone you could continue working with.
Raiyan supports children, youth, adults, parents, and families. His areas of focus include anxiety, depression, anger management, emotional regulation, family challenges, relationships, and men’s issues.
He draws on CBT, DBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma Focused CBT. A consultation with Raiyan can be a good fit if you are a parent seeking support for your child or an adult working through anger or family stress.
Read Raiyan’s therapist profile for more about his background, clinical approach, and areas of practice.
Samiha works with individuals and groups. Her areas of focus include anxiety, self esteem, body image and eating related concerns, attachment, emotional regulation, grief, relationships, and cultural and spiritual identity.
Her integrative approach includes CBT, DBT, and attachment focused work. Samiha offers sessions in English and Bengali, which many clients find helps them express themselves more fully from the very first conversation.
Read Samiha’s therapist profile for more about her background, approach, and areas of practice.
Not sure which therapist to choose? Mention your preferences when booking, such as language, age group, or areas of focus, and we can help guide you.
What to Expect
Beginning therapy can feel unfamiliar, especially if you have never spoken with a therapist before. You do not need to prepare a perfect explanation of what you are going through.
Choose a time through our online booking page or call +1 289 274 4439. Select the therapist you would like to speak with, or ask for guidance if you are unsure.
Talk about your current concerns, what you hope will change, and anything important about your background, culture, or faith. Share at your own pace.
This is your time to ask about approaches, session frequency, fees, insurance receipts, and in person or virtual options.
When the conversation ends, you can book a first full session, take time to reflect, or ask about other services. There is no fixed timeline and no pressure to decide on the spot.
Is It Right for You?
A consultation is especially useful if you are new to therapy, returning after a difficult experience with another provider, or unsure which type of support fits your needs.
It also helps if you want to compare therapists. Much like a test drive before a long commitment, a short conversation can reveal more about comfort and fit than any profile description.
Parents can also use this time to describe concerns about a child or teen and ask how therapy for young people works.
Please note that an initial consultation is not suitable for emergencies. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For urgent emotional support in Canada, you can call or text 988, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24 hours a day.
Practical Details
Knowing the cost of therapy before you begin helps you make a confident decision.
The psychotherapy initial consultation at Tazkiyah Psychotherapy is offered at no cost. A limited number of sliding scale spaces may also be available on a case by case basis, and you can ask about eligibility during your consultation.
For the latest details, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Tazkiyah Psychotherapy.
Initial Consultation
If you decide to continue, Tazkiyah Psychotherapy’s published fees for individual therapy are:
Raiyan Chowdhury: $170 per 60 minute session.
Samiha Rahman: $165 per 60 minute session.
Extended sessions may also be available. Please confirm current fees and availability before booking.
Many extended health benefit plans in Ontario include coverage for Registered Psychotherapists, though limits vary by insurer and policy. Tazkiyah Psychotherapy does not offer direct billing. You receive receipts to submit to your provider for possible reimbursement.
Private practice psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP. A quick call to your insurer before your first paid session can confirm your annual limit.
Questions
Yes. The initial consultation is offered at no cost, and there is no obligation to book further sessions afterward.
It is a brief conversation, shorter than a full 60 minute therapy session. The exact length is confirmed when you book.
No. The consultation focuses on fit, your questions, and next steps. In depth therapeutic work begins in your first full session if you choose to continue.
No. You are free to take time to reflect, book later, or decide that therapy is not right for you at this point.
Yes. You can book with Raiyan Chowdhury or Samiha Rahman directly. If you are unsure, share your preferences, such as language or areas of focus, and we can help guide your choice.
Yes. Virtual options are available for clients across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Burlington, Niagara, Scarborough, Oshawa, and Etobicoke. Eligibility is confirmed during your consultation.
Yes. Tazkiyah Psychotherapy can incorporate a faith informed perspective when it is meaningful to you. You decide how much or how little faith, spirituality, or cultural identity is part of your sessions.
Nothing formal is required. It can help to note your main concerns, a few questions, your preferred appointment times, and your insurance details. For a virtual consultation, choose a quiet, private space.
Coverage depends on your extended health benefit plan. Check with your insurer about Registered Psychotherapist services, reimbursement requirements, and annual limits. Tazkiyah Psychotherapy provides receipts for possible reimbursement.
You do not have to understand everything you are experiencing before reaching out for support.
Whether you are facing anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma related concerns, relationship difficulties, identity questions, or a major life change, one conversation can help you see your options more clearly.
We offer in person consultations and therapy in Mississauga and Oakville, Walk and Talk options in both locations, and virtual psychotherapy for eligible clients across Ontario.
Take the first step at your own pace. Book your free consultation and talk with a Registered Psychotherapist about what comes next.
Tazkiyah Psychotherapy, where healing and growth happen side by side.
